Revision as of 16:34, 14 February 2012

SECRETARY OF STATE

The California Secretary of State is the state's chief elections officer. The office commissions notaries public, charters corporations, oversees state archives, and files documents ranging from statutes governing Uniform Commercial Code, financing statements, and tax lien information to campaign and lobbyist disclosure information. The California Secretary of State also serves as an ex-officio member of the California State World Trade Commission and appoints one of the five members of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Complaint jurisdiction includes:

Auctioneer/Auction Company, Credit Service Organizations, Dance Studios, Discount Buying Organizations, Employment Agencies, Employment Counseling, Immigration Consultants, Invention Developer, Job Listing, Nurses' Registries, use of trademarks, use of service marks, names and insignia of organizations, notary public services, and use of the state seal.

Complaints outside jurisdiction:

Complaints about the activities of corporations, the activities of travel promoters,
or bail bondsmen.

The Secretary of State provides the following information and services.

Domestic corporations--the legal status of the corporation, its incorporation date, whether the corporation is a profit or nonprofit business, the agent for service of process, and the chief executive officer's name and address

Availability of corporate names

Reservation of names for proposed businesses

Election laws and procedures

Campaign and lobbying activity

Limited partnerships or applications for registration of limited partnerships

Notary Public services

Questions about the use of the state seal

Filings for the following:

Service marks, including complaints about their use

Trademarks, including complaints about their use

Claims to names and insignia of organizations

Individual name-change court orders

Dance studios

Discount buyers

Invention developers

Seller-assisted marketing plans

Substituted service of process

International wills

Filings for security interests in certain personal property used as collateral for loans

Information on federal tax liens against partnerships and corporations